Articulative sound-producing device for dolls, etc



Aug. 31,1926. 1,598,193

L. J@ GRUBMAN ARTICULATIVE SOUND PRODUCING -DEVICE FOR DOLLS, ETC

Filed March 11. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Einomtoz l ..1.GRUBM/mV AHTICULATIVE SOUND PHODUCING DEVICE FOR DOLIIS,. ETC

Filed Marh 11, 1922 .2 sheets- 81113912 ....uuu". 1

1 In n l1.

Patented iiug. 31, 1926.

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LEO J. GRUBLIA, GF NEVI YGUI, l. Y.,

VOCES, IECCEPRATEB, .A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

ARTICULATIVE SGUiTD-PRGDUCING DEVECE FOR DOLLS, ETC- Application filed March 11, 1922. Serial No. 542,884.

This invention relates to soundV producing devices for toys, and more particularly to what are now commonly referred to in the art as talking dolls, said device being provided with means `for producing sound and effecting an articulated emission p thereof simulating the pronunciation of word syllablcs by the human voice.

t is the primary object and purpose of my invention to provide sucli a device wherein the several operative parts for producing and effecting an interrupted articulated emission of the sound are wholly contained and at all times operate within a chamber or casing of relatively limited dimensions so that it becomes possible to utilice such a device and mount the saine lwithin the bodies of small sized dolls for retail sale at comparatively low cost.

More particularly, my invention comprebends such a sound producing and articulating device of the gravity automatic type as distinguished from the manually operable construction having a spring sustained air expelling member.

In a practical embodiment of my present improvements, l provide within the outer casing an axially positioned iiied guide and a gravity movabie weight supported by and slidable along said guide together with the sound producing element and means whereby the sliding movement of the weight along the guide will produce an interrupted sounding of said sound producing element.

lith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved articulative sound producing de ,Tice and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of its several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequently in corporated in the subjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1, is a side elevation of my improved soundproducing device;

Fig. 2, is an elevation of one end thereof;

Fig. 3, is an elevation of the opposite end thereof;

Fig. t, is a central sectional elevation tal;- en upon plane of line 1 -4L., Fig. 2, showing the bellows' 'collapsed ASSGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

Fig. 5, is a similar view, with the device in reversed vposition as related to Fig. 4E, and. with the bellows expanded;

Fig. 6, is a view of the outer face of the bellows actuating weight;

' Fig. 7, is a view of the inner side of one end disc of the casing;

Fig. 8, is a view of the inneriside of the other or perforated end disc of the casing;

Fig. 9, is a view of the inner face of the bellows base diaphragm;

Fig. 10, is a side or edge elevation of the bellows weight;

Fig. 11, is an elevation of the sound box or tube.;

Fig. 12, is an end elevation of said tube;

13, is a central section of the device reversed as related to Fig. 5, with the operative parts positioned preparatory to the collapse of the bellows;

Fig. 14:, is a transverse section takenl upon plane of line lit-14, Fig. 13.

In the embodiment of the` device which I have selected for purposes of illustration, l: provide a cylindricalV shell or casing 0 which may be produced of heavy cardboard, sheet metal orother suitable material. `At one of its ends, this casing is closed by a disc or cap c and at its other end by a similar disc or cap c2. These closure discs are preferably, though not necessarily, in the forni of sheet metal stampings, each provided at its outer edge with an angularly disposed `flange for frictional engagement with the respective ends of the casing or shell wall. It will be observed that this casing provides an unobstructed chamber', the axial or longitudinal dimension of which is substantially equal to its diameter. It is not, however, an essential requisite, of the invention that said casing or chamber shall be of cylindrical form as it will become obvious as this description proceeds that in so far as the effective operation of the device is concerned, said casing or chamber may be of various other shapes.

One wall of the casing above described is provided with one or more sound outlet or emission apertures. Preferably I `provide such apertures as indicated at 03 in the end cap or disc 0 of the casing. If desired, however, these apertures can be provided in the body w-all of the shell or cylindrical casing c.

lVithin the casing and extending axially or longitudinally of the chamber formed thereby there is arranged a fixed guide. As herein shown, this guide is in the form of a tuberi, which, as wil-l hereinafter appear, likewise functions as a sound receiving chamber. This fixed guide provides a support for the lfreely.slidablephe'ad b of the bellows which is generally indicated at B. Preferably, though not necessarily, the bellows head b is concentrically related tothe fixed guide tube i and' the'lwall of the casing c and is movableV along said tube from a position at one end of the casing chamber within which the bellows is enclosed to a position Substantially at *the opposite end thereof. i

lnI the present disclosure, I have shown a simple means for lxedly securing the guide tube ain place and to'this end, I provide the casing endv disc or capl @"centrally thereof with an inwardly projected portion ci which is adapted tobe' received within one end of the tubular post orguide. i rlahe other Tend ofthis tubular guide is provided at diametrieally opposite points with the lon gitudinally projecting lugsa for engagement in suitably formed re'cesifiesli"y provided in a paxrt 'of the other bellows head o2 which is suitably fixed to theV inner side of,vr the end disc or cap 0,2 of the casing. The, projecting lugs a" are of suchlength that betweentliese lugs and the bellows head b2,v the ports a* are procliicecljvliich afford communication betweenv the interior ofthe tubular post ci, and the yinterior of the bellows B through which the air may freely enterV into the bel,- lows or be expelled therefrom;

y Adjacent1 to its other end the wall of the i' tubular post a isl'provided with a sound tion.

emission slot or opening.a,2 and through which air is, also drawn into the bellows inthe movement of the head Y), inV one direc- The bellows head, is moved under the force ofl gravity to collapse or. distend the bellows, and for this purpose IH provide a weight S suitably fixedi or' attached tothe n A However, .iff` desired, thehead 7) andv the weight S may be formed in a s ingle one piece structure. The

Weight S ie.y Prevdedlrvitli 'e Central Opening sY loosely receiving the fixed guide post a so that saidy weight mayfreely'slidewithout binding alongsaid post` in leither direction'. In one side thereof the weight S; is vJrovided withA1 a. sound` outlet opening-i s,t `e inner end olf` which isA adapted',V to register with the emission slot oropening a? inthe wall Off the fixed euidetube a the elidne mevement ef said weight yalong the tube.y -The two bellows heads b and b2 are connected at their marginal edges with the opposite ends of the flexible collapsible tubular wall b3. This flexible wall may be produced from rubberized cloth or other suitable material.

Within the fixedV tubular post a thek sound producing reed r is mounted or supported in any suitable manner adjacent to the ports ax, Y v

ln the operation of the device above de scribed, assuming that the parts are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings', upon the reversal of the device, the weightS and bellows head b slide by gravity along the fixed post a from one end of the casing chamber tothe other. Initially in rthis `sliding movement and before the opening s" of the weight i's in registering relation withy the slot in the wall off the guide post, there is a slight emission of sound produced by reed r in 'the initial expulsion of the air through saidl reed, such sound waves passing through slot atlanti,l between the wall of the tube andthe wall ofthe open-` ing s in the weight and hence through the opening sj. This initial emission ofsound inV small volume simulates the sound ofthe letter M The sounding of the letter a immediately follows by the emission of sound from the. interior of the fixed tube a, in larger volume. throueh the slot (r2 and the opening s" of the weight which is` now in registerine relation with said slot. As the opening s y'moves outA of registering relationl with the slot a2' to aV position below the same,

the sound wavesvfrom the interior ofthe tube. againA pass in reduced volume between the wall of the tube and the weight S through the opening s,` again simulating the letter l\fl"an d when thewweight s moves entirely below the slotl a2, the sound again issues throughA said slot in maxiiriuni volume which continues until the. weightedl head of' the bellows reaches its final position of rest as s hown in llig. 4 of thejdrawings and during which time the sounding of the letter a is simulated. Inv this, manner,` the Sueeeeeve preliuneietienef the tvo Syllables 0f the infant ery me-me? elfe realistically simulated.

When the device is again inverted from, the position in Fig d, the bellows is ex,- ieended. by the` sliding 'meveinent of the Wei'a'ht S te the-r Opposite, enel 0f the casing Chamber and: air enterethe bell'ewe through the Slet e2 and; the pertes, ci* ofi the tubular peet. e

From the above description, itl will'V be Seen. that the Grenet/ire: parte of.' the derivee beth felt producing en@ ertieulating vthe sound are at all times wholly contained WithinA the ehembeli ef the exteenel" ieeetecting casingI andV by thet elimination' of protuberant or extraneous elemente,` it;

comes possible to utilize such devices in dolls or toys of comparatively small size.

In this connection, I herein use the term seit-contained as indicative et the tact that the enclosement of the operative parts is complete, there being no protuberant parts, and no extraneous manipulation other than that involved in changing the inclination of the device to effect the otherwise automatic action of the gravity-valve slide member S, as hereinbeitore set forth.

The device is not only simple and inexfive ot structure, but is also practically indestructible and tool-proof under ordinary conditions oli use, since it is not subjected extraneous pressure, and is essentially automatic in operation to all intents and purposes, i

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the only movable part in my device, relatively ng, other than the flexible sides ot the s, is the bellows head 7), and its innv attached slide-valve-Weight S, recally mounted on the rigid guide tub atter is also an important economic in structure in that it functions as air c ion chamber, reed container, and .l lateral support for the member S,

l? l Y ai at the same time stilening and reinforcing the end discs ot the ca g.

Twhat lfclaim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

l. Av casing providing a chamber unobstructed longitudinally oi the casing, sounding reed, a part movable longitudinally in said chamber to cause the passage et air through said reed, a relatively ixed member in said chamber, and said member and said part having means cooperating in the movement ot said part to interruptl the sion or sound produced by said reed.

. sound producing device comprising air chamber, a rectilinearly movable dapted to compress the air in said `niber, and means guiding said member in its movement, a sound producing element operated by passage of air therethrough in the moveifnentof said member, and said aembcr and the guiding means having coacting parts to interrupt the emission of sound produced by said element.

A sound producing` device comprising an air chamber, a rectilinearly movable member adapted to compress the air in said chamber, a sound producing element open ated by the compressed air, a relatively lined guide tor said member, said guide and said iember lnwing cooperating means to interrupt the emission ot sound produced by said element.

A sound producing device comprising an air chamber, a reciprocal member tor expelling air from said chamber, a sound producing reed through Which the air is expelled, a guide tor said member, and said guide and Y member having cooperating means to interrupt the emission of sound produced by said element.

5. ln a sound producing device, a casing, a post arranged longitudinally Within the casing and supported in liz-:ed c relation thereto, a sound producing element, and means tor effecting an interrupted sounding of the sound producing element including a member slidablc along said post Within and elative to the casing.

6. In a sound producing device, a casing, guide means arranged longituoinally Within the casing and supported in lined relation thereto, a sound producing element, and means for eltect-ino' an interrupted sounding o'lirthe sound producing element inclu-ding a member supported byV said guido me and slidable therealong Within and relativo to the casing.

7. ln a sound producing device, casing, a post axially positioned Within said casing and supported upon one ot the casing ends in lined relation to the casing, ay sound pro'- Vducing element, and means 'tor effecting an interrupted sounding of the sound producing element including a member supported by said post and slidable by gravity therealong within and relative to the casing.

8. ln a sound producing` device, an air compression chamber having a movable head at one end thereof, a sound producing element, va relatively lined member supporting said `movable chamber head, and said chamber head and said supporting member having means cooperative With each other in the movement ot said chamber head to eliect an interrupted emission of the sound produced by said sound producing element.

9. ln a sound producing device, an air compression chamber having a movable head at one end, a sound producing element, guiding and supporting means tor said movable chamber head, an enclosing casing for said mechanism having means on one Wall thereof sustaining said guiding and supporting means in a relatively lined p sition, and said casing having an opening in one Wall for the emission ot sound, and said movable chamber head and the guiding and supporting means having parts cooperating in the movement ot said head to eli'ect an interrupted emission oi the sound produced by said sound producing element.

10. A sounding device comprising a protecting casing, a post arranged axially Within the casing supported by having its opposite ends engaging the end Walls of the casing,

a Weight supported by and mounted upon said post freely slideable therealong Within and relative to the casing, a sound producing element, and means whereby sliding movement ot the Weight along the post Will produce interrupted sounding ot the sound producing element.

`also a second head, a tubularfmeinber extending between said heads being fixed by its circumferential end portions to the marginal parts of said heads, said tubular member being formed of soft flexible material wlieieby to permit the moveable Vhead to move freely toward andaway from the second head, a weight comprised in the movable head operable in one position of the device to move said movable headV by gravity for expelling air from the bellows, and said moveable head having an openiiiOr therethru to slideably receive said post wiereby the post constitutes a mounting upon which said moveable head is slideably supported and guided.

12. In a sound producing device, an air compression chamber having a movable head at one end, a sound producing element, a guide member for said head of the compression chamber along which said head is freely slideable, said head and guide member having cooperating means controlling the emission of sound produced by said sound producing element,` and an enclosing casing for said mechanism provided with means for supporting said guide member in a relatively fixed position.

13. In a sound producing device, a tubular bellows having a fixed head at one end thereof and a gravity movable head at its opposite end, a sound producing element, relatively fixed supporting and guiding means for theimovable bellows head, and said latter means and the movable bellows head having cooperating parts controlling the and a gravity movable head at its opposite end, a sound producing element, a relatively fixed guide for said movable bellows head supported upon the fixed head of the bellows and extending through the bellows chamber,

and said guide and the movable bellows head having cooperating means controlling the emission of the sound produced by said sound producing element in the movement of the bellows head in one direction.

15. In a sound producing device, a tubular bellows having a fixed head at one end and a gravity movable head at its opposite end, a member supported in a relatively fixed position upon the fixed head of the bellows and extendingaxially of the bellows chamber, a sound producing element, and said member and the movable bellows head having cooperating means controlling the emission of sound produced by said element in the movement of the bellows head in one direction.

16. In a sound producing device, a tubular bellows having av fixed head at one end and a gravity movable head at the opposite end thereof, a tubular guide post for the movable bellows head supported against axial movement and in communication with the bellows chamber, a sound producing reed mounted within said post, and said post and the movable bellows head having means cooperating in the movement of said head in one .direction to control the emission of sound produced by said reed.

17. In a sound producing device, an air compression chamber, a movable member lfor expelling air under pressure from said chamber, a sound receiving chamber having an emission openingfor the sound and a wall of said chamber constituting a support for said lnember and prescribing the path of its air expellingy movement, and a sounding reed through which the air is expelled from said compression chamber into the y sound receiving chamber in the movement of said movable member in one direction.

18. In a sound producing device, an air chamber, a sounding reed, a rectilinea-rly movable member constituting one end of the air chamber and operable to cause the passage of air through said reed, and a sound receiving chamber having an emission opening for the sound, and a wall of said chamber constituting a support for said member and prescribing the path of its rectilinear movement.

LEO J. GRUBMAN. 

